Monterey strawberries, variety description, photo, yield, planting and care rules

There are a huge variety of types of strawberries, but many have been captivated by the Monterey variety. Monterey strawberries have gained popularity due to their high yields and their taste.
We invite you to read the article and find out in more detail what the berry looks like, what nuances should be taken into account when planting and caring for it, and reviews from lovers of the delicacy are given.
Content:
- Monterey strawberries, variety description, photo
- Features of the variety, pros and cons
- Where to buy Monterey strawberry seedlings
- How to plant correctly, soil preparation, fertilizers
- Basic care recommendations: watering, fertilizing
- Productivity
- Plant frost resistance, wintering organization
- Reproduction methods
- Reviews from gardeners about Monterey strawberries on forums
Monterey strawberries, variety description, photo
Characteristics of Monterey strawberries:
- The variety is neutral, mid-early. The first harvest occurs in mid-May, the beginning of June, and the fruiting period ends in October.
- The berries are red, the flesh is sweet and juicy. The berry is hard on the outside, so it can be transported without damage. The shape of the fruit is biconic. Berry weight is from 30 to 35 grams.
- The bush produces a minimum of seven and a maximum of fourteen flower stalks, each of them fertile.
- The bushes are deciduous and powerful.
- The leaves are green with a beautiful shine.
- With proper agricultural technology, the fertility from one bush is two kilograms.
In one season, the crop can be harvested four times. Maturation occurs quickly. The second harvest is superior in taste to the first, the berries are sweeter and have a delicate texture.
It is unacceptable to thicken the greenery, since all the energy will be spent on the growth of the bush, and not on the formation of fruits.
The variety does not require special agrotechnical skills, but with proper care it will give a positive result, delighting the owner with a large harvest.
Features of the variety, pros and cons
The Monterey variety is different from other species strawberries growing method. A larger area is allocated than in other cases, since the bushes quickly grow and become strong and powerful. By making large distances between bushes in advance, you can avoid crowding.
This strawberry has many positive qualities, here are some of them:
- high yield;
- tender, sweet berries, which at the same time have a hard shell;
- fruits retain a presentable appearance for a long period and are suitable for long-term transportation;
- the shape of the berries is preserved when frozen, after defrosting the fruits are just as elastic and juicy;
- taste qualities do not depend on the amount of moisture;
- there is no excessive amount of whiskers, so there is no need to remove them;
- berries are used at home and in industrial conditions
The list of shortcomings is short:
- if the bushes are allowed to become dense, the plant dies;
- In hot climates, the berry turns red ahead of time and does not have time to gain the required weight.
- poor frost resistance.
- Rejuvenation of plantings is required annually; every two to three years it is advisable to replant the strawberries to a new area.
If you read consumer reviews, you can often hear positive statements.
We invite you to watch an interesting video about Monterey strawberries:
Where to buy Monterey strawberry seedlings
You can purchase high-quality seedlings at a specialized gardening store. The main thing is to make sure when purchasing that the plant is healthy, the roots should be at least six centimeters long, and the leaves should not be deformed.
You can also buy seedlings online, collaborating with organizations that have certificates. The consultant is obliged to provide all the information of interest and answer all questions. You should not pay for the goods until they are delivered. as a buyer, do not make sure of its integrity.
How to plant correctly, soil preparation, fertilizers
To the growing process It is worth approaching it with all responsibility; further fruiting depends on the chosen area and soil.
Operating principle:
- The area should be well lit.
- Landing on site is not allowed if there is groundwater close to the surface. The root system will die from stagnation of moisture.
- The height of the bed is at least 25 cm, and the width ranges from 70 to 80 cm.
- As a soil, it is preferable to choose loamy and sandy soil, saturated with moisture and nutrients. If it is not possible to plant on such soil, sandy and clayey soils are acceptable. However, in this case, the soil must have high acidity levels and be properly watered.
- To increase acidity, crushed limestone and dolomite are added to the soil.
- The soil is cleared of weeds, then one hundred and twenty grams of potassium salts, ten kilograms of humus, seventy to eighty grams of superphosphate are introduced, and everything is dug up. It is advisable to complete the preparations one and a half months before the landing.
- During planting, it is necessary to inspect the seedlings and discard those that are weak or have a poor root system. Trim long roots to 8 cm.
- Make shallow holes and pour three hundred milligrams of warm water into each of them. The depth of the hole should correspond to the length of the root.
- The roots are straightened and covered, lightly compacted with your hands. The main thing is not to fill the core of the bush, this will lead to the death of the seedling.
- The distance should be at least forty centimeters, the distance between rows should be from fifty centimeters.
The soil is watered and mulched with straw or sawdust.
The planting is complete, now it's all about maintenance.
Basic care recommendations: watering, fertilizing
Care includes the following manipulations.
Loosening the soil | This manipulation helps the penetration of air into the soil to the root system. Loosening promotes proper plant growth. |
Watering | Monterey strawberries like regular watering, especially if the temperature outside is high. Thanks to the large amount of liquid, the strawberries become juicy. |
Introduction of fertilizers | Organic and mineral substances are used as fertilizing. Feeding and soil enrichment are also carried out regularly. Substances that are necessary for the growth of the berry are introduced monthly. |
Getting rid of weeds | Weeding is carried out regularly after watering. If you do not weed and remove weeds, the soil becomes depleted, resulting in small fruits. |
Protecting bushes from the sun | You can cover the plants with agrofibre on top or use straw as mulching. |
Eliminate pests and diseases | Although the variety is not susceptible to insect attacks, it is still recommended to regularly inspect the foliage in order to promptly eliminate parasites or detect the first signs of disease |
If you do not follow these recommendations, this will negatively affect the yield and taste of the product.
Productivity
With proper care and good climatic conditions, Monterey strawberries produce a high-quality and high yield.
The great advantage of this variety is that it bears fruit 4 times per season. The second wave is particularly productive. Approximately five hundred grams of ripe berries are collected from the bush. Up to ten berries ripen simultaneously on each bush.
If you grow plants in a greenhouse, then it is possible to obtain a harvest throughout the year.
The main thing in this matter is to maintain the same temperature and lighting conditions. If the temperature is above normal, the strawberries will ripen, but will not gain much weight.
Let's watch an interesting video:
Plant frost resistance, wintering organization
This variety is not famous for its frost resistance, so in frosty weather the bushes need shelter and special preparation. Spunbond or organic mulch is used as cover.
Reproduction methods
Strawberries reproduce in several ways:
- dividing the bush;
- seeds;
- daughter sockets.
Of these methods, the most common is propagation by seeds. The only drawback of this method is that a seedling grown from a seed does not produce a harvest in the first year of life.
Reproduction by antennae or daughter rosettes gives good results. The bushes turn out healthy and strong, fruiting occurs in the same year.This method is not as popular as the first one, because the strawberries form a small amount of whiskers.
To ensure that the seedlings take root well, they are covered with cassettes or plastic cups. The survival rate is one hundred percent.
Reviews from gardeners about Monterey strawberries on forums
Anyuta reports: I have been growing the Monterey variety in my garden for several years. The strawberry is very tasty and sweet, the flesh is tender and aromatic. There was a lot of rain this season, so there was a slight sourness, but this did not spoil the taste. Gives a bountiful harvest.
Katya shares her impressions on the forum for summer residents: Monterey strawberries are attractive in appearance and pleasant in taste. The fruits are sweet and large when well watered. I followed all the care recommendations, there were no shortcomings. I will point out two advantages: good yield and transportability.
So, Monterey strawberries are a unique variety; thanks to good care, the plant is able to bear fruit all summer long, and in greenhouses all year round.
An important condition when growing is to avoid crowding and plant seedlings at a large distance from each other.
Comments
To successfully grow strawberries of this variety, quite a few conditions must be met. For example, increase soil acidity. If, then, after a couple of years, you move the strawberry plantation to another place, then you will have to reduce the acidity again, because most garden crops do not grow in acidic soil.
I love strawberries, I freeze them for the winter in the form of smoothies, I make jam and compotes, so I try to grow good varieties. I'm not familiar with Monterey, but judging by the description, it's worth trying to plant. Moreover, care is not particularly different from other varieties of strawberries.